Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

As they say, all good things must come to an end. Skype will end its free calls within North America promotion at the end of the year. Beginning January 1st 2007, users must subscribe to an annual $14.95 service ($29.95 after January 31st 2007) if they want to continue doing so.

I say that’s a pretty good deal for unlimited calling within North America if you don’t already have something for that already. Granted, there are some VoIP home services on the market that will allow you to place unlimited calls within North America for about $19.99 per month, but that’s not why people need Skype is it?

The benefit of using Skype’s service is that you can be mobile and still call whoever you want, whenever you want. As long as you have an Internet connection (notebook, handheld devices etc.), you can place that all important business call without incurring too much cost. For an average of about $1.25 per month ($2.50 if you subscribe after January 31st 2007), I think it’s a good value for business people who are on the move constantly, and need to be able to contact their network within North America.

Read [VoIPCentral]

If you don’t already know, Skype is offering free PC to landline calling until the end of this year (and maybe forevermore). Now all you need to make this convenient is a Skype enabled handset, taking your hands off of your keyboard and cutting the headset cord. Belkin’s Wi-Fi Phone gives you mobility to place free, unlimited domestic and international calls over the Internet to other Skype users as well as Grandma’s 100 year old, five digit phone number.

The Belkin Wi-Fi Phone connects to Wi-Fi hotspots around the world, especially the one in your home, allowing you to easily access your Skype account without turning on the computer, making it an ideal traveling companion. To make a call, simply use the on-screen color menu to locate your contact and view your online availability—just like using Skype on a computer. Don’t worry about eavesdropping as the handset has built in WPA and WPA2 encryption and is 802.11b/g compatible.

The Wi-Fi Phone (model number F1PP000GN-SK) will ship in North America for $189.99 in August 2006, with launches in Asia, Europe, and Australia to follow shortly.

Read [Belkin]
Via [Palm Addicts]